The Boston Celtics got an outstanding 60 point effort from Jayson Tatum on Friday night, and overcame a 32 point first half deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 143-140 in overtime at TD Garden in Boston.
San Antonio (31-31) had a huge first half, leading 39-16 after one quarter of play and extended that to a 32 point advantage in the second quarter on several occasions. The Spurs would lead 77-48 at the half. Boston (34-30) would outscore the visitors 42-26 in the third to trim it to 103-90 headed to the fourth. The Celtics would take their first lead since 5-4 two minutes into the game on a three-pointer by Tatum with 38 seconds remaining 127-126. DeMar Derozan tied it for the Spurs with two free throws with 10.8 seconds left, and Tatum came up short on a real good look with a turnaround 15 foot jumper as time expired to send the game to the extra session. With San Antonio holding a 137-136 lead late in overtime, Jaylen Brown knocked down a three-pointer from the left wing with 16.7 seconds to go on the clock to give the C’s the lead for good. Tatum hit 4-4 from the foul line in the last 11 seconds, but the Spurs had one more chance down three with 4.2 seconds still on the board but the long shot wouldn’t fall and it wouldn’t of counted if so as it never got off in time.
Tatum tied the franchise record with Larry Bird for points in one game. He made 20-37 from the floor (5-7 three-point range, 15-17 foul line). He also added eight rebounds and five assists. Jaylen Brown had 17 points, Aaron Nesmith 16, while both Marcus Smart and Robert Williams III added 10 points a piece. Derozan led San Antonio in the loss with 30 points, while Dejounte Murray and Lonnie Walker IV had 24 a piece. It is the first time since 1991 that Boston has scored 80 points in one half of basketball (outscored Spurs 80-51 in second half). The Celtics will host the Portland Trailblazers on Sunday night.
